In 1993, Jonne Järvelä started the project that would later evolve into Shaman. Under the moniker 'Shamaani Duo', an ambient/folk project, a first CD was released in 1996 titled 'Hunka Lunka'. The project had both male and female vocals and some of the melodies where later re-used on Shaman songs. Some Shaman tracks appeared on the Shamaani Duo-album in an early form.